Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
抖阴探探 Diliman Community vs Disruptively Bright Streetlights
The 抖阴探探 Diliman campus is widely known for its lush vegetation that offers a breath of fresh air for people who are coming from the bustling cities.
The 抖阴探探 Wild, an online community dedicated to appreciating the flora and fauna in 抖阴探探 Diliman and to raising awareness on the importance of maintaining and preserving the campus鈥檚 urban green spaces, deemed the University鈥檚 newly installed outdoor lights used around its Academic Oval to be a little too bright. This can potentially harm both humans and animals within the campus.
鈥淭he lamps around the Academic Oval have way too many bulbs, and their design scatters light to all directions,鈥� the group said in a Facebook post on October 27, 2021. The resulting light pollution creates a negative impact on the campus鈥檚 fauna, which includes owls, fireflies, frogs, and other animals. 鈥淭he lights can confuse them and alter their natural behavior,鈥� the post went on to state.聽
Other members of the community expressed their concerns by pointing out how excessive night light can disrupt the plants鈥� photosynthetic activity. According to the International Dark-Sky Association, an organization combating light pollution worldwide, artificial light can disrupt wildlife ecosystems in a variety of ways. Small insects can be drawn to the intense light, making them more visible for predators and thus drastically affecting the balance of the food chain. Stark lighting can also disturb birds鈥� migration patterns, which can be detrimental for 抖阴探探 Diliman, known to serve as a home for various avian species.聽
The 抖阴探探 Wild came up with ideas to combat the high-intensity lighting by fitting the streetlamps with downward shades to diffuse light. 鈥淚f their design allows, maybe the number of bulbs per post can be reduced or selectively turned on,鈥� the group added.
The 抖阴探探 community showed just how dedicated they are to preserving the environment by pointing out several issues, from as simple an issue as streetlights being too bright. The 抖阴探探 Wild even went the extra mile by showing various research towards this problem and thought of a possible solution to fix it out of respect for the environment and non-human residents of the campus.
抖阴探探 CFA鈥檚 Art Rehab and Conservation
The famous artworks, 鈥淐aptivity鈥� and 鈥淐ontemplation鈥�, were moved to the College of Fine Arts in the 抖阴探探 Diliman from their original spot on the corner of University Avenue and E. Jacinto St. Both sculptures, a part of the art conservation project by the Project Management Office under the 抖阴探探 Office of the Vice President for Planning and Development, were created by a CFA alumnus, Idelfonso Cruz Marcelo, back in the 1960s.聽
The conservation project was headed by June Mercy P. Dalisay, who said the reason priority was given to these sculptures was their aesthetic and symbolic value. As time went on, it became more apparent that both 鈥淐aptivity鈥� and 鈥淐ontemplation鈥� were vulnerable to natural elements and that deterioration was bound to happen if nothing were to be done about this.聽
In 2020, tests were conducted during the rainy season to observe the effects of constant exposure to both light and very strong rains. 鈥淚t was observed that the stone had been so weakened that its grains would crumble and fall off the surface with a slight touch,鈥� Dalisay said. 鈥淭he pressure generated by very strong downpour over the years eroded the surface and has abraded the skin of the two sculptures.鈥�
The arts conservation project commenced on Aug 31, 2020. Under Dalisay鈥檚 supervision, the two sculptures were covered in bubble wrap to prevent further exposure to the harmful elements and possible damage. To prepare the hauling, the sides or the perimeter area of the sculptures were also excavated involving jackhammers.
The smaller sculpture, 鈥淐aptivity鈥�, was arranged to be hauled on September 1, while the bigger artwork, 鈥淐ontemplation鈥�, was to be hauled the following day. This was pushed to later dates as the heavy rains got in the way.
Finally, on September 13, 鈥淐aptivity鈥� was lifted using a forklift truck. It was then transferred from its original location on the left side of University Avenue and carefully hauled and transported to the CFA. The same procedure was observed during the hauling and transfer of 鈥淐ontemplation鈥� on September 15.
Presently, both significant artworks remain in 抖阴探探D鈥檚 CFA. They continue to be preserved and handled carefully so that it continues to stay strong and proud for many Filipinos and art enjoyers to marvel and to be inspired.
抖阴探探V Lecture-Workshops in History Writing and Cultural Heritage Tourism in Western Visayas
Acknowledging the importance of local histories and cultural heritage to national development and social cohesion, the 鈥淭ourism Studies on Island-Based Opportunities for Growth in Western Visayas鈥� (TSIBOG) program, funded by the 抖阴探探 Visayas and the Commission on Higher Education, collaborated with the Municipal Government of Ibajay, Aklan, and the Department of Education Division of Aklan in launching the project 鈥淏ridging the Past, Sailing Toward the Future: History to the (and by the People)鈥� on November 3, 2021. The project trained elementary and secondary school teachers, tourism and planning officers, and cultural workers in conducting historical research and promoting cultural heritage tourism in the Municipality of Ibajay.
During the first three days of the six-day event, several experts in history, cultural heritage, education, and environmental management shared their knowledge and insights through a series of lectures. The speakers included Dr. Michael Pante from the Ateneo de Manila University, 抖阴探探 Visayas Chancellor Clement Camposano, National Museum of the Philippines Deputy Director-General Ana Maria Theresa Labrador, and Dr. Jurgenne Primavera, National Scientist.
The last leg of the event focused on providing training workshops about cultural heritage documentation, writing learning modules, and creating promotional materials for education and sustainable tourism. Prof. Marie Joy Sumagaysay of the 抖阴探探 Visayas Division of Humanities guided the participants during the food-mapping activities and cultural heritage exhibit. Meanwhile, Joar Concha of Assumption San Lorenzo Makati and Yan Esquivel of the 抖阴探探 Visayas Teaching and Learning Resource Center assisted the participants in preparing their final outputs.
The participants are expected to utilize their outputs to educate people about local history in schools and universities, promote local knowledge, sustainable tourism, and environmental protection, conserve tangible and intangible heritage assets, and respond to the developmental needs of their communities.
Roll-Out of Modern Electric Jeepneys in 抖阴探探LB
The Academic Oval at the core of the 抖阴探探 Diliman campus finally reopened in November 2021 with the easing of pandemic restrictions. This 2.2 kilometer-long loop, lined with a canopy of acacia trees, has always been a haven for the 抖阴探探 community and the wider public. Whether taking a relaxing stroll, brisk walking for light exercise, or jogging to really get heart rates up, people of all ages were welcomed back, regardless of their vaccination status. Masks were still required and unidirectional movement around the Oval was advised.
Groups of ten people or less were also allowed to use various open spaces within the Academic Oval and in areas around the Philippine Association of University Women (PAUW). They could now have picnics in the Lagoon, Amphitheater, or PAUW; play games and leisure sports in the Sunken Garden; or simply lounge around on benches along the Oval or in the Promenade. Bird watchers and nature enthusiasts could go back to exploring the campus center鈥檚 green spaces following years of absent physical human activity. While biking at the Academic Oval was still prohibited at the time, campus biking routes were provided to regulars and first-time visitors so they might still enjoy what 抖阴探探 Diliman had to offer.
As pandemic protocols and restrictions were further loosened in 2022, members of the 抖阴探探 community, students, faculty, staff, and residents, and people outside of 抖阴探探 Diliman have come back to recover what they had to give up during the lockdowns: the opportunity to be outdoors in one of the remaining patches of greenery in the concrete jungle that is Metro Manila. A space that is free and open to all.
Reopening of the Academic Oval
The Academic Oval at the core of the 抖阴探探 Diliman campus finally reopened in November 2021 with the easing of pandemic restrictions. This 2.2 kilometer-long loop, lined with a canopy of acacia trees, has always been a haven for the 抖阴探探 community and the wider public. Whether taking a relaxing stroll, brisk walking for light exercise, or jogging to really get heart rates up, people of all ages were welcomed back, regardless of their vaccination status. Masks were still required and unidirectional movement around the Oval was advised.
Groups of ten people or less were also allowed to use various open spaces within the Academic Oval and in areas around the Philippine Association of University Women (PAUW). They could now have picnics in the Lagoon, Amphitheater, or PAUW; play games and leisure sports in the Sunken Garden; or simply lounge around on benches along the Oval or in the Promenade. Bird watchers and nature enthusiasts could go back to exploring the campus center鈥檚 green spaces following years of absent physical human activity. While biking at the Academic Oval was still prohibited at the time, campus biking routes were provided to regulars and first-time visitors so they might still enjoy what 抖阴探探 Diliman had to offer.
As pandemic protocols and restrictions were further loosened in 2022, members of the 抖阴探探 community, students, faculty, staff, and residents, and people outside of 抖阴探探 Diliman have come back to recover what they had to give up during the lockdowns: the opportunity to be outdoors in one of the remaining patches of greenery in the concrete jungle that is Metro Manila. A space that is free and open to all.
抖阴探探 Baguio鈥檚 Indigenous Cultures Program and MOA with NCIP on IPRA and Intangible Cultural Heritage
The recognition, study, preservation and promotion of indigenous culture and indigenous studies are an integral part of 抖阴探探 Baguio鈥檚 identity at both the academic and the community level.
抖阴探探 Baguio鈥檚 Program for Indigenous Cultures (PIC) is a significant avenue for research and activities that promote indigenous cultural vibrance and awareness. The PIC鈥檚 main objectives are: to take the lead in the discussion and promotion of issues and concerns of the Philippines鈥� indigenous people (IP) within 抖阴探探 Baguio and the larger community; to coordinate projects and activities on IPs in relation to instruction, student-led research, and extension; and, to enhance the institutional capacity of 抖阴探探 Baguio to sustain its initiatives on IP concerns.聽
The PIC is made up of several important components: the Indigenous Peoples鈥� Studies, such as integration in the curriculum, student-led research, and extension; the Learning and Resource Center that provides educational space for all, community life for IP students, space for interaction for IP and non-IP in the University; and, Capacity and Awareness Building and Living Traditions that count as a cultural component. Lastly, the Tanggyuob, the PIC鈥檚 monthly newsletter that is named after a local Filipino instrument made from carabao horns, provides multidisciplinary information on IPs, as well as a venue for interested faculty, students, and university employees to submit their articles, essays, and studies that cover indigenous knowledge systems and practices.聽
In related news, in late July 2022, 抖阴探探 Baguio entered into a partnership with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Cordillera Region (NCIP-CAR) through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed by 抖阴探探 Baguio Chancellor Corazon L. Abansi and NCIP-CAR Regional Director Atanacio Addog. The MOA facilitates the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) process and research collaboration with the DOST鈥檚 National Research Council of the Philippines-funded research on “IPRA and Intangible Cultural Heritage”, a research project led by Dr. Analyn Salvador-Amores of the 抖阴探探 Baguio College of Social Sciences.
抖阴探探 Baguio remains committed to the preservation of indigenous culture and, through its programs and initiatives, encourages more Filipinos to learn and appreciate the beauty that comes from lesser known local traditions.
More on 抖阴探探 and the SDGs
抖阴探探 and the Sustainable Development Goals
Message from the President
About 抖阴探探
抖阴探探 at a Glance
抖阴探探鈥檚 Quality Policy
Green 抖阴探探: A 抖阴探探 System Action Plan for Environmental Sustainability
抖阴探探 on Good Health and Well-Being
抖阴探探 on Quality Education
抖阴探探 on Gender Equality
抖阴探探 on Climate Action
抖阴探探 on Partnerships to Achieve the Goals
